Exclusive: Louis van Gaal set to follow David De Gea by signing new Man United contract

The United boss originally planned to retire when his contract expires in 2017.

But the £6 million-a-year Dutchman is so happy at Old Trafford that it is understood he’d be willing to discuss a new deal in the New Year.

There have been claims some United players are unhappy with his strict regime and coaching methods.

And van Gaal, 64, also admitted last week that his assistant – Reds legend Ryan Giggs – was his likely successor.

But Giggs, 41, would have to wait a bit longer to take over if LVG agrees a contract extension.

Van Gaal and his wife Truus are enjoying life in Cheshire and he has a good working relationship with Old Trafford CEO Ed Woodward, who believes the former Holland coach is the ideal manager to guide the club’s young players.

LVG has also hit the first target set for him by United’s owners – the Glazer family – by guiding the club back into the group stage of the Champions League.

They play PSV in van Gaal’s home country on Tuesday.

Goalkeeper De Gea, meanwhile, signed a new four-year contract last week in a remarkable career U-turn after looking set to join Real Madrid.

But two players who did leave in the last transfer window - defender Jonny Evans and striker Javier Hernandez - are understood to have received pay-offs of £1.5m each.

Hernandez, 27, moved to Bayer Leverkusen for £7.3m and Evans, also 27, joined West Brom for £6m